The aim of this thesis is to design a game, created in the form of a game design document, that represents lower socioeconomic class struggles. It is done by using a research through design method, with which we delve into studies and simulations of poverty, socioeconomic classes, previous games and studies on empathy. To make the representation unappropriated, an autoethnographic method is utilized to write down personal experiences as stories to use as inspiration. The studies and methods are used to inform the design decisions for this game called Lesser&lt;Than... . The results show an overview of a finished game design document alongside informed design decisions. We also break the game down into and discuss its mechanics, dynamics and aesthetics. Extra attention is paid to the narrative too, since that is the biggest area of socioeconomic representation. For the conclusion, from this finished game design, we are also picking out three key ways of representing lower socioeconomic classes and explaining why these ways work for us. / <p>One of the author's legal name is Dana Taillefer, but preffered name that is on the thesis is Levi Taillefer</p>

Prejudice establishes coercive contingencies that restrict human rights and diminish quality of life. Social media has made the oppression experienced by individuals more apparent. Perspective taking and empathy can change prejudicial behavior by fostering relationships and encouraging self-identification with those who are different from ourselves. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of a guided collective shaping program on the occurrence of perspective taking and empathetic responses when viewing social justice media. The effects of the workshop were evaluated using a multiple baseline design across workshop topics. Written responses to video clips were analyzed before, during, and after training. The results of the study were inconclusive. The results of the training, based on the responses measured, indicate an increase in one measure of perspective taking and no changes in the other measures. At the same time, anecdotal observations indicated a change in the way participants talked about the issues over the course of the training. The results are discussed within the context of response form measurement, the COVID-19 pandemic, and potential research directions.

In Texas and across the United States, minority male juvenile offenders are overrepresented in juvenile detention facilities. Researchers have demonstrated an inverse relationship between levels of empathy and antisocial beliefs and delinquent behaviors in juveniles. Understanding this relationship is an important step in designing and implementing rehabilitative interventions for juvenile detainees. Grounded in social learning theory and the social empathy model, the current study addressed whether significant differences in empathy existed between nonminority and minority male juvenile offenders with felony and nonfelony offenses within a juvenile detention facility in rural Texas. A de-identified data set of 357 Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) questionnaires was analyzed. The data set contained only males ranging in age from 10 to 17 years. A two-way analysis of variance indicated no significant mean differences in measured empathy between nonminority and minority detainees, or between those with felony and nonfelony offenses. Results suggest that the site facility may focus its rehabilitative resources on broad empathy interventions regardless of minority status or offense. Results do not support targeting specific demographics for empathy interventions.